The Order of the Parade

There is actually a rhyme and reason to who you see in the parade at what time. Here’s a guide to the who’s who of the parade and when to expect them.
Chief Marshal Division: Raymond …

Posted
Tuesday, June 23, 2015 4:24 pm

Ron Silva

Jeanette St. Pierre

There is actually a rhyme and reason to who you see in the parade at what time. Here’s a guide to the who’s who of the parade and when to expect them.

Chief Marshal Division: Raymond Gallison, the honorary Chief Marshal, leads the procession and is immediately followed by the Fourth of July committee. Local police and fire units along with local, state and city of Providence elected officials close it out.

Did you know: Only current elected officials are invited to walk.

Division 1, Military: Active military from the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard come through in this division.

Did you know: The Defense Department sets the order in which the forces march.

Division 2, Militia: Expect to see colonial militia fare in this division, such as historic reenactment groups, fife and drum bands, and old battleships, weapons and other wartime relics.

Division 3, Veterans: Veterans from World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan and other foreign wars march in Division 3.

Did you know: Veterans walk in chronological order of the wars.

Division 4, Freedom: There’s some overlap with the next division, but Freedom includes local media celebrities, patriotic organizations like the Knights of Columbus and a variety of other groups.

Division 5, Independence: Shriners, clowns and ethnic musical performances like the Portuguese Folk Lore dancers perform in the last division.

Did you know: The custom commissioned Mr. Potato Head will once again be the parade caboose.